Implement operating apparatus

Abstract

An implement operating apparatus has a U-shaped drive frame supported on drive wheels, each pivotally mounted about a vertical wheel pivot axis. A steering control selectively pivots each drive wheel. A power source is connected through a drive control to rotate the drive wheels in either direction. First and second implements are configured to perform implement operations and to rest on the ground and when the drive frame is maneuvered to an implement loading position with respect to each implement, the implement is connectable to the drive frame and movable to an operating position supported by the drive frame. When the implement is in the operating position, the steering and drive controls are operative to move and steer the drive frame and implement along a first travel path or a second travel path oriented generally perpendicular to the first travel path.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An implement operating apparatus comprising:
 a U-shaped drive frame comprising a base beam and first and second substantially parallel side beams extending from corresponding first and second ends of the base beam and defining an open implement area between outer ends of the first and second side beams, the drive frame supported on a plurality of drive wheels for travel on a ground surface; 
 wherein each drive wheel is pivotally mounted to the drive frame about a substantially vertical wheel pivot axis, and a steering control is operative to selectively pivot each drive wheel about the corresponding wheel pivot axis; 
 a power source mounted on the drive frame and connected through a drive control to rotate each drive wheel, the drive control operative to rotate the drive wheels in a selected one of first and second directions; 
 first and second implements, each implement configured to perform an implement operation and to rest on the ground surface when in an idle position; 
 wherein each implement and the drive frame are configured such that when the drive frame is maneuvered to an implement loading position with respect to each implement in the idle position, each implement is connectable to the drive frame and movable to an operating position where each implement is supported by the drive frame and is connected to an implement control system operative to control implement functions; 
 wherein when the drive frame is in the implement loading position with respect to the first implement in the idle position, at least a portion of the first implement is between and above the first and second side beams; and 
 wherein when each implement is in the operating position, the steering and drive controls are operative in a first mode to move and steer the drive frame and supported implement along a first travel path and the steering and drive controls are operative in a second mode to move and steer the drive frame and supported implement along a second travel path oriented generally perpendicular to the first travel path. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a first pair of drive wheels supports the first side beam and a second pair of drive wheels supports the second side beam, and wherein the first travel path is oriented generally parallel to the side beams. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising an end beam releasably attached at first and second ends thereof to outer end portions of the first and second side beams remote from the base beam. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the end beam is provided by the first implement such that the end beam is attached to the first and second side beams only when the first implement is in the operating position. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4  comprising at least one lock mechanism mounted on outer end portions of each of the first and second side beams, and wherein the first implement engages the lock mechanisms when the first implement is in the operating position, such that the side beams are substantially fixed with respect to the first implement when the first implement is in the operating position. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein at least a portion of the second implement is beside the drive frame adjacent to the first side beam when the drive frame is in the implement loading position, and wherein the power source is a motor mounted on the second side beam. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the second implement is movable from an operating location beside the first side beam to a transport location above the drive frame. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein:
 the first pair of drive wheels includes a first base drive wheel proximate to the base beam, and a first end drive wheel remote from the base beam; 
 the second pair of drive wheels includes a second base drive wheel proximate to the base beam, and a second end drive wheel remote from the base beam; 
 wherein when moving and steering the drive frame and supported implement along the first travel path, the steering control is operative to pivot the first and second base drive wheels together in the same direction; and 
 wherein when moving and steering the drive frame and supported implement along the second travel path, the steering control is operative to pivot the first base and end drive wheels together in the same direction. 
 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein when moving and steering the drive frame and supported implement along the first travel path, the steering control is operative to pivot the first and second end drive wheels together about the corresponding wheel pivot axes in one of a tight turn direction, opposite the direction of pivoting of the first and second base drive wheels, and a crab steer direction, the same as the direction of pivoting of the first and second base drive wheels. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein when moving and steering the drive frame and supported implement along the second travel path, the steering control is operative to pivot the second base and end drive wheels together about the corresponding wheel pivot axes in one of a tight turn direction, opposite the direction of pivoting of the first base and end drive wheels, and a crab steer direction, the same as the direction of pivoting of the first base and end drive wheels. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the steering control comprises a hydraulic cylinder adjacent to each drive wheel and wherein each hydraulic cylinder is operative to selectively pivot the corresponding drive wheel about the corresponding wheel pivot axis through a pivot range greater than about 130 degrees. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the steering control is further operative to adjust a relative rotational speed of the drive wheels to steer the drive frame. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the second pair of drive wheels is movable vertically with respect to the second side beam. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13  comprising a walking beam oriented substantially parallel to the second side beam and pivotally attached at a center portion thereof to a center portion of the second side beam about a walking pivot axis, and wherein each of the second pair of drive wheels is mounted to opposite end portions of the walking beam. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 14  comprising at least one guide support mounted on the second side beam between the walking pivot axis and one end portion of the walking beam, and comprising an inner guide plate attached to the second side beam and an outer guide plate attached to the inner guide plate such that a guide channel is formed between the inner and outer guide plates and wherein the walking beam moves up and down in the guide channel in close proximity to the inner and outer guide plates. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the second pair of drive wheels comprises a second base drive wheel pivotally mounted about the corresponding substantially vertical wheel pivot axis to a lower portion of a second base arm that is pivotally attached to the second side beam proximate to the base beam, and a second end drive wheel pivotally mounted about the corresponding substantially vertical wheel pivot axis to a lower portion of a second end arm that is pivotally attached to the second side beam remote from the base beam, and wherein the second base and end arms are linked such that when one of the second base and end wheels pivots up the other of the second base and end wheels pivots down. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 16  comprising:
 a second base hydraulic cylinder connected between the second base arm and the second side beam, and a second end hydraulic cylinder connected between the second end arm and the second side beam, and wherein the second base hydraulic cylinder and second end hydraulic cylinder are connected by fluid conduits such that as the second base arm pivots upward or downward hydraulic fluid flows from the second base hydraulic cylinder into the second end hydraulic cylinder such that the second end arm moves in a vertical direction opposite the movement of the second base arm; and 
 a pressurized hydraulic fluid source connected to the second base and end hydraulic cylinders through a hydraulic control valve, wherein the hydraulic control valve is operative to direct pressurized hydraulic fluid into the second base and end hydraulic cylinders to move the second side beam upward or downward to a desired vertical position. 
 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein:
 the first pair of drive wheels comprises a first base drive wheel pivotally mounted about the corresponding substantially vertical wheel pivot axis to a lower portion of a first base arm that is pivotally attached to the first side beam proximate to the base beam, and a first end drive wheel pivotally mounted about the corresponding substantially vertical wheel pivot axis to a lower portion of a first end arm pivotally attached to the first side beam remote from the base beam 
 a first base hydraulic cylinder connected between the first base arm and the first side beam, and a first end hydraulic cylinder connected between the first end arm and the first side beam; and 
 wherein the pressurized hydraulic fluid source is connected to the first base and end hydraulic cylinders through the hydraulic control valve, wherein the hydraulic control valve is operative to direct pressurized hydraulic fluid into the first base and end hydraulic cylinders to move the first side beam upward or downward to a desired vertical position, and when the desired vertical position is achieved, the hydraulic control valve is operative to maintain the first base and end arms in a fixed position. 
 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the base beam is pivotally attached to the first side beam about a base pivot axis oriented substantially parallel to the base beam and perpendicular to the first side beam. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the base beam is above the first and second side beams. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein, when in the operating position, the supported implement extends:
 outward beyond the base beam; 
 outward beyond outer ends of the first and second side beams remote from the base beam; or 
 outward beyond at least one of the first and second side beams. 
 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first implement, when supported in the operating position, extends outward beyond the base beam, and the second implement, when supported in the operating position, extends outward beyond at least one of the first and second side beams. 
     
     
       23. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the power source is a motor mounted on the second side beam in an offset position such that an inner side of the second side beam is between the motor and the first side beam. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the motor is movable from a first motor operating position to a second motor operating position. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the steering control, drive control, and implement control system are responsive to signals received from at least one of a microprocessor that receives location signals from an external guidance system and a remote control box. 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the implement to be supported is connected to the drive frame by movable raising arms attachable to the implement and the drive frame, and an actuator operative to move the raising arms to move the implement to the operating position. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein when the drive frame is in the implement loading position, a connecting portion of the implement to be supported is above the drive frame, and an actuator is operative to lower the connecting portion of the implement. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein when the drive frame is in the implement loading position, a connecting portion of the implement to be
 supported is above the drive frame, and an actuator is operative to raise the drive frame to raise the implement to the operating position. 
 
     
     
       29. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first implement is configured to perform a corresponding first implement operation when travelling along the first travel path and the second implement is configured to perform a corresponding second implement operation when travelling along the second travel path. 
     
     
       30. An agricultural implement apparatus comprising:
 a U-shaped foundation frame supported on wheels for travel over a ground surface where the foundation frame includes right and left substantially parallel and laterally spaced mounting beams fixed at inner ends thereof to a substantially horizontal base beam and extending in an outward direction from the base beam to outer ends thereof remote from the base beam such that an open implement area is provided between the mounting beams from the outer ends of the mounting beams to the base beam; 
 an implement configured to perform an implement operation, to rest on the ground surface when in an idle position, and to attach to the foundation frame in the open implement area when in an operating position; 
 a plurality of beam attachment mechanisms mounted to the foundation frame, each beam attachment mechanism comprising: 
 a lift arm pivotally attached at an inner end thereof to the corresponding beam and defining a hook at an outer end thereof; 
 wherein the lift arm is pivotable from a loading position extending in the outward direction to an operating position extending upward; 
 a hydraulic cylinder operative to pivot the lift arm between the loading position and the operating position; and 
 a beam engagement member; 
 for each beam attachment mechanism, a corresponding implement attachment mechanism mounted to the implement, each implement attachment mechanism comprising a shaft oriented substantially horizontally, and an implement engagement member; 
 wherein the attachment mechanisms are configured such that, with the lift arms in the loading position, the foundation frame is movable to an implement loading position with respect to the implement in the idle position where the hook of each beam attachment mechanism is located under the shaft of the corresponding implement attachment mechanism such that pivoting the lift arms to the operating position moves the implement upward and in an inward direction such that each implement engagement member moves into engagement with the corresponding beam engagement member. 
 
     
     
       31. The apparatus of  claim 30  comprising a hydraulic fluid source operative to direct pressurized hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic cylinders to move the lift arms from the loading position to the operating position and operative to exert a bias force on the lift arms urging the lift arms toward the operating position. 
     
     
       32. The apparatus of  claim 31  wherein a force exerted on the lift arm toward the loading position that is greater than the bias force moves the lift arm toward the loading position and moves pressurized hydraulic fluid out of the hydraulic cylinder and back to hydraulic fluid source. 
     
     
       33. The apparatus of  claim 30  wherein, on each implement attachment mechanism, the shaft extends between substantially vertical mounting plates, and wherein portions of the mounting plates that are next to the hooks when the foundation frame is moving into the implement loading position slope laterally away from the shaft to guide the corresponding lift arm toward the shaft. 
     
     
       34. The apparatus of  claim 30  comprising a releasable lock mechanism operative to secure the lift arms in the operating position with the implement engagement members engaged with the corresponding beam engagement members. 
     
     
       35. The apparatus of  claim 30  wherein the engagement members are provided by sockets and pins configured to slide into the sockets wherein the pins comprise tapered ends operative to guide the pins into the sockets. 
     
     
       36. The apparatus of  claim 30  comprising:
 right and left outer beam attachment mechanisms mounted to corresponding right and left end portions of the corresponding right and left mounting beams, and at least one inner beam attachment mechanism mounted to the base beam; and 
 right and left outer implement attachment mechanisms mounted to the implement at locations corresponding to locations of the right and left outer beam attachment mechanisms, and at least one inner implement attachment mechanism mounted to the implement at a location corresponding to a location of the at least one inner beam attachment mechanism. 
 
     
     
       37. A method of performing first and second implement operations, the method comprising:
 mounting a drive frame on a plurality of drive wheels, each drive wheel pivotally attached to the drive frame about a substantially vertical wheel pivot axis; 
 providing a steering control operative to selectively pivot each drive wheel about the corresponding wheel pivot axis; 
 mounting a power source on the drive frame and connecting the power source through a drive control to rotate each drive wheel, the drive control operative to selectively rotate the drive wheels in first and second directions; 
 operating the drive control and steering control in a first mode to move and steer the drive frame along a first travel path and operating the drive control and steering control in a second mode to move and steer the drive frame along a second travel path oriented generally perpendicular to the first travel path; 
 supporting a first implement configured to perform the first implement operation on a ground surface in a first idle position; 
 supporting a second implement configured to perform the second implement operation on a ground surface in a second idle position operating the drive control and steering control in one of the first and second modes to move and steer the drive frame to an implement loading position with respect to the first implement in the first idle position; 
 connecting the first implement to the drive frame and moving the first implement to an operating position supported by the drive frame; 
 connecting the first implement to an implement control system operative to control implement functions; 
 operating the steering and drive controls in the first mode to move and steer the drive frame and first implement along the first travel path and operating the implement control system to control the implement functions of the first implement to perform the first implement operation; 
 operating the drive control and steering control in one of the first and second modes to move and steer the drive frame to a storage location and moving the first implement to the first idle position and disconnecting the first implement from the drive frame and the implement control system; 
 operating the drive control and steering control in one of the first and second modes to move and steer the drive frame to an implement loading position with respect to the second implement in the second idle position; 
 connecting the second implement to the drive frame and moving the second implement to an operating position supported by the drive frame; 
 connecting the second implement to the implement control system to control implement functions; 
 operating the steering and drive controls in the second mode to move and steer the drive frame and second implement along the second travel path and operating the implement control system to control the implement functions of the second implement to perform the second implement operation. 
 
     
     
       38. The method of  claim 37  wherein the drive frame includes a base beam and first and second substantially parallel side beams extending substantially parallel to the first travel path from corresponding first and second ends of the base beam, and wherein a first pair of drive wheels supports the first side beam and a second pair of drive wheels supports the second side beam, and wherein the first travel path is oriented generally parallel to the side beams. 
     
     
       39. The method of  claim 38  wherein the drive frame is U-shaped and the second implement is higher than the drive frame when in the idle position, and comprising moving and steering the drive frame to the implement loading position by moving the drive frame along the first travel path and moving the first and second side beams along corresponding first and second sides of the second implement in the idle position. 
     
     
       40. The method of  claim 39  comprising a releasable attachment mechanism mounted on outer end portions of each of the first and second side beams, and comprising connecting the second implement to the drive frame by attaching a rigid implement frame portion of the second implement to each attachment mechanism such that the first and second side beams are substantially fixed with respect to each other. 
     
     
       41. The method of  claim 37  comprising transporting the first implement along a road by raising the first implement to a transport location and moving the drive frame and first implement along the first travel path. 
     
     
       42. The method of  claim 37  comprising transporting the second implement along a road by raising the second implement to a transport location and moving the drive frame and second implement along the first travel path.